Sound City+ Unites Global Music Industry in the North for a Day of Inspiring Talks and Debate

In the largest gathering of the music industry in Liverpool for decades, the Sound City+ Conference (Friday 2 May) served up a memorable day of talks, debates, panels, workshops and keynote addresses pointing to the future of the music industry across the globe. 

Tackling the most pressing topics and questions posed to the music industry, Sound City+ delivered on its promise of a day inspiring change that confirms Sound City’s place at the heart of the music business, championing and supporting new creative and industry talent. 

This was reflected by the opening remarks delivered by Mayor Of The Liverpool City Region Steve Rotherham, who welcomed the music industry to Liverpool whilst reflecting the region’s storied history and burgeoning new voice making a mark around the world. For the first time, the BPI (the trade body representing the UK’s recorded music industry and organisers of the annual BRITS + Mercury Prize awards) brought their In Tune With Tomorrow summit to the North for the first time.

Sophie Jones, the Chief Strategy Officer of the BPI, noted that there has “never been a better time to be in music but never has it been tougher” – a topic discussed across a number of programming panels focusing on fostering an environment where education, human artistry and investment in music can thrive. 

Highlights from the day included a ‘Fireside Chat’ with Warner Music UK Chief Operating Officer Isabel Garvey – who discussed the modern music landscape and the role labels have to play in developing artists not just for one viral moment, but beyond that. “Pace and patience need to live alongside each other” she noted, “our mission is to build life long careers”.

Further highlights included an In Conversation With Hugo Chegwin (People Just Do Nothing), a deep dive into the influence and power of Introducing from the team at BBC Introducing, LIVE’s CEO Jon Collins leading an in-depth look at the live music sector and how artists can break into it, a full day of programming from TuneCore in the Kazimier Stockroom, Lapsley exploring the realities of building a sustainable music career on your own terms, punk pioneer John Robb in conversation and the Musician’s Union discussing how to make the music industry accessible to everyone amongst many other incredible programming. 

The Sound City+ Conference day closed with a surprise pop-up performance from viral sensation DJ AG, taking over the Kazimier Stockroom LIVE across TikTok – cementing Sound City and Liverpool as the place with its finger firmly on the pulse of modern music with a roadblock performance courtesy of TuneCore. 

Speaking about the Sound City+, Managing Director Becky Ayres said:

“It’s been a truly incredible day across Liverpool City Centre, welcoming the highest number of music industry professionals to Liverpool in many years as a part of the Sound City+ Conference. It’s a reflection of the city and region’s growing influence across the globe and in particular the changing dynamics of the UK music industry, with a day of vital insight and discussion that not only is aimed at inspiring the future leaders of our industry but also laying out the steps we can all make to lead that change in the here and now. The music industry sits at an important crossroads with a variety of challenges and opportunities rising to the fore. Sound City+ 2025 will have an impact beyond today and is an important next step for a music industry more accessible and artist-focused than ever before”.